Simon Kent, QMI Agency

If you cross the Atlantic to London this summer be prepared for a big surprise.

Soldiers of the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment will be forming the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace, St. James’ Palace and the Tower of London on 14, 16 and 18 July.

This very Royal salute honours the regiment’s centenary and all those who have served it at home and abroad in two world wars plus subsequent actions in places as far apart as Korea and East Timor, Afghanistan and Bosnia.

The ceremonial duty recalls the time the Van Doos were initially called on to protect some of the most admired sovereign real estate in the capital.

Elements of the regiment provided the King’s Guard outside Buckingham Palace and St. James from April 12-21, 1940, the first of the three current Canadian Regular Force infantry units to do so.